Niche Projects

Liverpool Central Library

We spent two years designing this high-specification moveable wall system (multi-electric) to fit in with the existing nineteenth century building. The client’s instructions were for Niche Multiwal to create three flexible meeting spaces, which opened out onto the rooftop terrace.

The incredible £55m refurbishment of this building began in 2010 and was completed and opened in May 2013. As with all listed buildings, there were a number of restrictions and obstacles to overcome in the design and fitting. In addition, the multi-electric steel-framed panels had to be lifted onto the roof with a crane as they were too large to bring up through the building.

The Niche Multi-Electric system incorporated glazed units in the pass doorpanels, which do not require any floor bolt or thresher housings like other lesser models by other companies. Three way junction posts enabled the moveable walls to be used to a very high degree of flexibility with many different configurations possible.

The moveable wall panels are parked in boxed out sections along the perimeter walls and oak veneer was selected as a finish in order to remain in keeping with the beautiful existing building specification.

The semi-automated system ensures maximum quality for sound control, is incredibly easy to use and remains one of the most high specification moveable wall systems on the market.

The refurbishment was undertaken by Shepherd Construction, who with Niche Multiwal, has previously completed several important schemes with, including Trafford Town Hall and Narec North Sea wind farms.